Much has been reported in the papers recently concerning the bingo industry singing the blues as a consequence of the anti smoking law in Britain. Conditions have become so awful that in Scotland the Bingo industry has called for massive aid to assist in keeping the businesses from going bankrupt. However will the online adaptation of this classic game present a escape, or will it never compare to its bricks and mortar equivalent?
Bingo is an enduring game generally played by the "blue haired" generation. In any case the game of late had undergone a recent increase in acceptance with younger people opting to go to the bingo parlors rather than the bars on a Saturday night. This is all about to be reversed with the enforcement of the cigarette ban across England and Wales.
No longer will players be permitted to smoke while marking numbers. From the summer of ‘07 every public area will not be allowed to permit smoking in their venues and this includes Bingo halls, which are possibly the most popular locations where people like to puff on cigarettes.
The results of the anti cigarette law can already be observed in Scotland where cigarettes are already prohibited in the bingo parlours. Profits have plunged and the industry is literally fighting for its life. But where have the players gone? Surely they have not forgotten this familiar game?
The answer is on the net. People are now realizing that they can wager on bingo in front of their computer at the same time enjoying a beer and smoke and in the end, have a chance at monstrous prizes. This is a recent phenomenon and has happened bordering on perfect with the anti cigarette law.
Of course gambling on on the web will never replace the social aspect of going down to the bingo parlor, but for a group of men and women the rules have left a good many bingo players with no option.